Advertisement
Advertisement
MIRPUR: Shoriful Islam’s five-wicket haul, backed by brisk knocks from Mahedi Hasan and Asif Ali powered Chattogram Royals to victory over Noakhali Express in the 25th fixture of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025-26.
Royals chased down 127 on the loss of five wickets with 18 balls to spare.
Ihsanullah and Hasan Mahmud made early inroads with the ball to provide Noakhali Express a strong start.
Mahmudul Hasan Joy was the first wicket to fall, gone without scoring in the first over, followed by Mohammad Hari’s dismissal, who was caught for seven.
Ihsanullah struck again to remove Mahfijul Islam for duck quickly, followed by Mohammad Naim, who made 18 off seven with the aid of two fours and a six.
As a result, Chattogram Royals were reduced to 29-4 in 4.2 overs.
However, a brief partnership of 40 runs between Hasan Nawaz and skipper Mahedi Hasan put the chase back on track.
The duo took the score to 69 in 9.3 overs before Nawaz was stumped for 11, leaving Royal five down.
The match was widely open, with Noakhali Express bowlers tailing up. But it was Asif Ali’s arrival at the crease that brought their side respite.
The recently retired Pakistani pinch hitter stitched an unbeaten 59* run stand with Mahedi and helped their side cross the finishing line.
Asif hit two sixes and two fours in his 36* off 30 while Mahedi remained one shy of a well-deserved half-century. He hit four boundaries and two sixes in his knock that put their side on top of the points table.
For Noakhali Express, Ihsanullah picked up two wickets.
Earlier, given the oppurtunity to bat first, Noakhali Express batters demonstrated a shambolic display as Chattogram Royals skittled them for 126 in 18.5 overs.
Hassan Eisakhil and Soumya Sarkar started positively with a 34-run stand in 3.1 overs.
Eisakhil and Sarkar made 25 and 14, respectively, and Express were 49-2 at the end of the powerplay.
Despite two wickets in quick time, Noakhali Express was going steadily as Jaker Ali and Haider Ali launched a recovery with a 29-run partnership.
The pair brought the total to 78 in 9.4 overs before Mahedi Hasan and Shoriful Islam wreaked havoc with the ball.
The bowling pair sparked a collapse, with Noakhali Express slumping to 91-6 from 78-2 in 13.1 overs.
Eventually, the whole team was bundled out with Shoriful Islam picking up a five-wicket haul while giving away just nine in 3.5 overs.
READ: Steve Smith, Babar Azam stars as Sydney Sixers outclass Thunder
